The Dark Souls franchise may own this title, but Aldia’s got nothing on me.
Last year around this time I made a statement, hoping that I would take it easier on the album listening; however, I also said that it would be for naught, as my 2019 release calendar was looking great and I was so excited about it.
However, life has a way of kicking you in the bollocks. Continue reading
And just like that, we’re halfway through 2019. Also, nearly into August at this point – late is the name of the game, folks. Anyway, catch our most recent entries into some favorites we have at the halfway point, here, here, and here, then scroll below for a few more we had left to highlight from the second quarter that we either missed or needed to discuss again. It’s been that kind of year to where some things just warrant extra discussion and it shows no stopping or letting up either. Consider this a Circle Pit of two, two enter and two leave…wait. Just do it and maybe you’ll come away with a new favorite. Continue reading
Did you listen to the June Album of the Month podcast episode? Did you do the homework? Did you think we would leave you hanging? Fear not, for below you will find a quick list (with links to boot!) of all the albums mentioned by the Nine Circles crew as early 2019 favorites. Dive in, take a listen, and let us know what else is killing you so far this year.
*Note: Abbath isn’t actually in this list. That is an oversight, because I’ve been loving Outstrider. But any chance to post a picture of Abbath can’t be passed up, so… Continue reading
It’s been a while since I wrote one of these, despite writing about numerous other things and being on the Nine Circles Audio Thing. Blame grad school – I am stuck in this hellhole to further new opportunities, so I am hoping things pan out. Otherwise, I will be so mad. Luckily, I am free (for now!), so here we are!
Anyway, last time, I discussed gothic metal and my appreciation of the aesthetic as a whole. I consider that genre to be the darker side of symphonic metal; instead of the beautiful fairy queen, you get the belle dame sans merci who will make you suffer for your desires. I also wanted to address something that I thought of before we jump into the next genre – if you think about it, there are more men involved in gothic metal than in symphonic metal. Granted, the genres overlap, but men rarely take the spotlight in symphonic metal. Maybe some of you can tell me why?
Now, we can start talking about a genre that is known to be experimental in nature, albeit not avant-garde (I might write about avant-garde at some point). Given our recent discussion of Empath (see podcast), it’s only fair that we look at how this genre has become a staple in my music listening and how it has expanded my horizons into other bands.
It’s time we talk about Progressive Metal. Continue reading
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